Centre Approves 47-Km Whitefield-Bangarapet Rail Project in Rs 10,021-Crore Plan
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved five multi-tracking railway projects on Wednesday with an overall investment of Rs 10,021 crore, including the laying of a third and fourth line along the 47-kilometre stretch between Whitefield and Bangarapet.
The approved projects span 17 districts across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, and will expand the existing Indian Railways network by about 540 kilometres. Officials stated that the overall multi-tracking initiative will improve rail connectivity to approximately 2,121 villages, serving a total population of around 52 lakh people.
Alongside the Whitefield-Bangarapet expansion, the package includes four other major stretches: the 77-kilometre Arakkonam-Renigunta third and fourth line, the 147-kilometre Hosur-Omalur doubling, the 159-kilometre Salem-Karur-Dindigul doubling, and the 110-kilometre Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet route. All five projects are scheduled for completion by the 2029-30 financial year.
The works have been planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. Authorities stated that the increased line capacity is aimed at easing train congestion, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring higher service reliability for passenger and freight operations.
The project corridors serve as essential transit routes for bulk commodities, including coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products, and fertilisers. According to an official statement, the capacity augmentation will generate additional freight traffic of 47 million tonnes per annum, reduce oil imports by around 8 crore litres, and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 42 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting around 2 crore trees.
The capacity enhancement will also bolster travel links to major religious and tourist destinations across the region, including Kolar Gold Fields, Kotilingeshwara Devaalaya, Bangaru Tirupati, Sri Seethi Byraveshwara Swamy Temple, Tirupati, Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruttani, Hogennakkal Falls, Hosur Fort, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal Hills, and Yadagirigutta Temple.
